- sedan 153,437
- 1,120 below average
- 5,995 good
- Chillicothe, OH
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- autoshopper.com
- 1,120 below average sedan 153,437 gasoline silver manual
2008 volvo s40 review this car review is specific to this model, not the actual vehicle for sale. New styling, interior improvements. introductionthe s40 and v50 have given volvo a legitimate alternative to the less-expensive cars from other import luxury brands. We'd go so far as to call these small volvos sport sedans (or wagons, as the case may be), and with substantial improvements for 2008, the s40 and v50 are better than ever. changes for 2008 are about as extensive as one expects between complete model overhauls. Both the s40 sedan and v50 wagon get a fresh look, thanks to restyled front and rear ends. Interior improvements add small-item storage space, and all models now come standard with an auxiliary audio jack and usb port. In the volvo fashion, there are also safety enhancements, including a feature that automatically starts the emergency flashers in the event of a collision. Volvo's blis blind-spot monitoring system and active bi-xenon headlights are now optional on the both s40 and v50. On the performance side, the turbocharged t5 models get a boost from 218 to 227 peak horsepower. the volvo s40 sedan and volvo v50 wagon are relatively small cars: essentially the same size as a honda civic. Yet there's plenty of room for passengers and cargo inside, and the compact exterior dimensions make them easier to park. They are designed to be extremely safe, with active and passive safety features to help drivers avoid accidents, then protect them if there is a crash. Both the sedan and wagon rank among the best looking volvos ever, and inside they offer clean, scandinavian elegance. For both appearance and ease of function, the interiors rank among best in class. the s40 looks and feels like a sports sedan. The same applies to the v50 wagon. The v50 wagon drives just like the s40 sedan, and it's nearly identical in size, measuring less than two inches longer in overall length. In fact, the s40 sedan and v50 wagon are nearly identical in every way. on the open road, these cars are stable and relaxed. They hold there own with the bmw 3 series, audi a4, and other cars in this class, even at high speeds. the 2. 4i models of the s40 and v50 feature a five-cylinder engine that delivers strong torque. As a result, they deliver decent acceleration performance. They also offer a good balance between ride comfort and handling response, with a suspension that's firm but not jarring. The brakes are excellent. All come with a five-speed automatic, though the s40 2. 4i is available with a five-speed manual that gives it livelier acceleration performance. the turbocharged engine in the t5 models is wonderfully smooth and responsive, delivering acceleration that is both even and exhilarating. The automatic transmission works as well as any in this class, and the t5 can be equipped with all-wheel drive for an extra element of performance or all-weather security. the volvo s40 and v50 are priced right, especially compared to the entry-level cars from other european luxury brands such as mercedes-benz. Both seat five passengers. Front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available. the s40 2. 4i 24,365) and v50 2. 4i 26,815) are powered by a 2. 4-liter five-cylinder engine generating 168 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. The s40 2. 4i comes standard with a five-speed manual transmission, while the v50 2. 4i gets volvo's geartronic five-speed automatic with a manual shift feature. The automatic is optional on the s40 2. 4i 1,250). Standard equipment includes manual air conditioning with cabin filtration, power windows and door locks with remote locking, cruise control, a tilt-telescoping leather steering wheel with audio controls, 80-watt audio with six speakers and single cd, and 16-inch alloy wheels. option packages for the 2. 4i models: the climate package 675) adds heated front seats, headlight washers and rain-sensing wipers, while the select package for s40 2,095) and v50 2,145) includes an eight-way power driver's seat, power tilt/slide sunroof, a 160-watt audio upgrade with six-cd changer, oak or aluminum inlays and 17-inch wheels. There are also two stand-alone options: metallic paint 475) and leather seating 1,200). the s40 t5 28,515) and v50 t5 29,715) have a slightly larger 2. 5-liter turbocharged version of the five-cylinder engine. Power increases slightly to 227 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque. The t5 models all come with the five-speed automatic. Standard equipment is further upgraded with fog lights, a power driver's seat, leather gearshift knob and trip computer. the s40 t5 awd 30,365) and v50 t5 awd 31,565) add volvo's full-time variable all-wheel-drive system. options for the t5 models: the premium package for the s40 2,350) and v50 2,480) include a power sunroof, leather seating, power passenger seat, memory for the driver seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass and homelink transmitter. The dynamic trim package 1,695) adds sportier suspension settings and enhances the look with a front chin spoiler, rear lower valance spoiler, side skirts, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The dvd-based navigation system 2,120) includes a remote for passenger operation and the dynaudio package, with a 650-watt amplifier, 12 speakers and dolby pro-logic ii processing. Stand-alone options include keyless drive 450) and 17-inch wheels 1,350). safety features include front-impact airbags, torso-protecting side-impact airbags for front passengers, and head-protecting curtains for all outboard passengers. All models come with antilock brakes and volvo's dynamic stability traction control (dstc), which senses and then tries to correct a potential skid. Volvo's whiplash seat protection system, or whips, uses specially designed seats to minimize potential for neck injuries in a rear-end impact. new for 2008 is an automatic hazard warning feature that starts the emergency flashers in the event of a collision. Optional safety features include volvo's blind spot information system, or blis 695), which warns the driver of nearby vehicles that might not be visible in the mirrors. Active bi-xenon headlights 800) point into curves and remain level over bumpy surfaces. These compact models moved volvo from its familiar angular, square-ish look toward something much less frumpy. They're distinctive among so-called near luxury cars, and easy to identify as volvos. for 2008, changes to the s40 and v50 are noticeable, and they're intended to bring the smaller volvos more into line with the company's recently re-styled flagship s80 sedan. The updates enhance the s40 and v50, but they don't substantially change their character, and that's good. Both rank with the best looking volvos ever offered. the s40 is subtle and original, but mostly very clean: sophisticated in its simplicity, but certainly not simple. Form follows function in this sedan, as a short overall length (for crisp handling and easy parking) was a primary engineering objective. rounded front corners (as well as a compact engine package) enable this shortness, and the rear corners are pushed in as well, giving the s40 a tight but still stylish shape. Sparse application of chrome creates a classy look, and for 2008 there are fewer black bits on the body. Lower door, sill and side moldings are now color coordinated to match the paint. The doors are slightly convex, with high shoulders that add a sense of security for those sitting inside. the s40 and v50 are volvos from any angle, but it's most obvious head on, looking into the dark egg-crate grille with the diagonal volvo slash through the center. The sedan and wagon are identical from the front, sporting a slightly larger grille in 2008, with a much larger volvo badge in the center. The headlights have been reshaped slightly, with a more pronounced tear-drop downturn at the inside edges. The air intake under the bumper now runs full width without interruption. viewed in profile, a sharp rear end and softer front end give the s40 direction. The rocker panels are slightly wider in the rear, creating the illusion of forward rake and more motion. More dramatically, the sloping roofline quickly meets an abrupt, lipless rear deck. The distance between the bottom of the glass and the back edge of the deck is not much more than a foot. Yet all the lines, including the rear hips, cascade smoothly together. The optional 17-inch rims fill the wheel wells nicely and enhance the s40's presence. viewed from the rear, the huge red taillights are trademark volvo. They've been reshaped slightly for 2008, now with long lasting led elements rather than bulbs. in side view, the v50 wagon is created by extending the roof line and belt line back to the tail, with a slight diagonal angle from the roof down to the beltline. It's all very graceful, though from the rear the wagon's huge taillights add some gawkiness. To that end, both the s40 and v50 apply what the company calls the volvo intelligent vehicle architecture, or viva. That means extra-sturdy anti-intrusion beams in. Cruise Control✔ Power Windows✔ Anti-lock Brakes✔ CD Changer✔ Air Conditioning✔ Navigation System✔ Sunroof/Moonroof✔ Climate Package✔ Alloy Wheels
5,995 Chillicothe, OHChillicothe, OH at autoshopper.com